Horseshoes and pizza | Your Wausome Weekend Guide
Wausau area events for the weekend of May 27-June2, 2026
Horseshoes and Hand Grenades is nothing but a central Wisconsin success story. This national-level act returns for a night of bluegrass and pizza at Stoney Acres Farms. Plus a blues act at The Garage, the Woodchucks take the field at Athletic Park again, a running event raises money for the Humane Society, and many more Wausau events in your Wausome Weekend Guide!
Sponsored by
Horseshoes and Hand Grenades
Thursday, May 28: Horseshoes and Hand Grenades had a pretty incredible rise. They went from playing house parties near the UWSP campus to practically being the house band at Central Waters Brewing Company to playing festivals on the national stage. But the band hasn’t forgotten its Wisconsin roots, and regularly plays this special event at Stoney Acres Farm. The ticket price gets you all you can eat farm-to-table pizza, three hours of Horseshoes and Hand Grenades’ brand of Wisconsin-born bluegrass, and a look at opening act Humbird. 6 pm. $49. See the event page for more. BONUS: If that’s too much for you, Debbie Briggs will bring her vintage jazz to the farm 5-8 pm Friday.
Wausau Woodchucks home opener
Thursday, May 29: One of my favorite summer memories came from covering the Wausau Woodchucks (the closest I ever came to being a baseball beat writer). Jim Gantner once threw me out of his clubhouse when he was manager of the Chucks. (I later used that story and how I hung around to get the quote anyway to land a job.) So to me, summer in Wausau begins when the Chucks take the field. And that home opener comes Thursday. Owner Mark Macdonald helped turn a night at the ballpark into an essential Wausau summer experience, and this Thursday they’ll be back in action at Athletic Park against Green Bay Rockers. 6:35 pm game time. See the Chucks schedule for more.
Allen Brothers Band
Saturday, May 30: We don’t highlight many cover bands on this here page, but the Allen Brothers are something special. (And not just because the lead singer was once my bandmate). They’re one of the few cover bands to take the stage at the old Malarkey’s Pub, and this weekend the talented brothers will take the stage at the new Faraway Place. 8 pm. See the event page for more.
RED End of Silence 20th Anniversary Tour
Saturday, May 30: There’s something always a little surprising about Christian music that falls into the category of hard rock/Nu Metal. And Red is a shining example of that. The band has heavy guitars but sings about Jesus and has been doing that since 2002. This Nashville Act blends a few different styles, primarily like Linkin Park mixed with symphonic elements that make them unique (that was especially true on End of Silence). In this show at the Q&Z Expo Center celebrating the 20th Anniversary of their End of Silence tour, they’ll be joined by Kingdom Collapse and Twist it. 6 pm. $28.52, VIP Lounge tickets available. See the event page for more.
Run for their Lives
Saturday, May 30: Guess what? You and your pup can both support the Marathon County Humane Society by running this 5k! The Humane Society, which helps stray cats and dogs find new homes, is organizing this run/walk starting at Immanuel Baptist Church on Saturday. Not only that, but there is a virtual option if you don’t want to run in person. And the fun part is you can bring your dog to the run or walk too! Registration ends today though, so get yourself signed up if you want to run or walk the course. Chip timing available. 8:30 am. $30. See the event page for more.
Pizza in the Orchard kickoff
Thursday, May 28: Pizza on the Farm is one of my summer musts, but thankfully we have more outdoor pizza options! Pizza in the Orchard is just a bit different of an experience. For one, it’s on Thursdays. For another, one price gets you access to a pizza buffet, with pizza made on site. And the setting is an orchard instead of a farm, with live music from area bands. It’s always a fun time, and means you could have pizza outside three nights per week if you wanted to. This opening pizza night features Jerry Schmitt Duo. 5 pm (music at 6 pm). See the event page for more details.
Phil Kitze and the Resonators
Friday, May 29: There’s something really gripping about the bluesy grit of Phil Kitze and the Resonators. The blues style he gets out of his gold guitar has just the right level of grit, and Kitze and the Resonators bring a big blues sound that is sure to knock the socks off people at The Garage. The Twin Cities band plays of mix of Texas and Chicago blues covers and original songs, and it’s always great to have another blues band play in town. 7 pm. See the event page for more.
Sponsored by
In Brief
Moonbadger, 8 pm Wednesday, May 27 at Faraway Place
Pizza on the patio, 6-8 pm Wednesday, May 27 at Willow Springs Gardens
Nu Metal Sucks Tour, 6 pm Friday, May 29 at Q&Z Expo Center
The Foxfire Affaire, 6 pm Friday, May 29 at Mosinee Brewing Co.
Outdoor Craft and Flea Market, 9 am-3 pm Saturday, May 30 at River District Antiques
Blindside, 6 pm Saturday, May 30 at Bull Falls Brewery
HYDE, 7 pm Saturday, May 30 at Arrow Sports Club
Josh Berton, 9 pm Saturday, May 30 at Nevermore on Third
Darkhorse, 3 pm Saturday, May 30 at Reservoir Dogs Saloon
Dalnodar, Troestler and Noetzel, noon Sunday, May 31 at Faraway Place
Ringle Relief Benefit Concert, noon-6 pm Sunday, May 31 at Hillside Pub
Thanks for reading The Wausonian! If you haven’t subscribed yet, check out the free and paid options below to help support local journalism covering Wausau news: